A former motel in Downtown Redding that now serves as transitional housing was the scene of a deadly stabbing Tuesday. At around 10AM at the Market Street Manor, a residential substance abuse treatment meeting was underway. Police say one of the resident participants, 31-year-old Christopher Jordan Witcher, suddenly and without provocation pulled out a large butcher knife and attacked two other residents and two staff members. Three men and a woman were hospitalized with stab wounds. The woman died. One of the men had major trauma to his face and another man has significant stab wounds in his torso. Both underwent emergency surgery. The other man’s wounds were not as serious. Meanwhile, witnesses told police that Witcher had fled on foot. nearby schools were locked down as police searched the downtown area. After about 30 minutes Witcher was found hiding in a ditch. He had been staying at the Market Street Manor for two weeks. He had previously lived in Redding before moving to Colorado, where he was released from prison this year after serving time for stabbing someone. He was booked into jail on one count of murder and three counts of attempted murder. Anyone with helpful information can call detectives at 225-4214.
-Steve Gibson